Dick was coming swiftly, flushed, glowing, eager,
erect, almost smiling.
"I told them. I swore it was a lie, but I wanted them
to decide as if it were true. I didn't have to waste a minute
on Elsie. She loves you, Nell. The Governor is crazy about you.
I didn't have to waste two minutes on him. Mother used up the
time. She wanted to know all there was to tell. She is proud,
yes; but, Nell, I wish you could have seen how she took the--the
story about you. Why, she never thought of me at all, until she
had cried over you. Nell, she loves you, too. They all love you.
Oh, it's so good to tell you. I think mother realizes the part
you have had in the--what shall I call it?--the regeneration of
Richard Gale. Doesn't that sound fine? Darling, mother not only
consents, she wants you to be my wife. Do you hear that? And
listen--she had me in a corner and, of course, being my mother,
she put on the screws. She made me promise that we'd live in the
East half the year. That means Chicago, Cape May, New York--you
see, I'm not exactly the lost son any more. Why, Nell, dear,
you'll have to learn who Dick Gale really is. But I always want
to be the ranger you helped me become, and ride Blanco Sol, and
see a little of the desert. Don't let the idea of big cities
frighten you. Well always love the open places best. Now,
Nell, say you'll forget this trouble. I know it'll come all right.
Say you'll marry me soon....Why, dearest, you're crying.
Pages:
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389